Asian Valentine's
So I finally got to experience Valentine's Day in Asia, which is different from how the West celebrates it. As is depicted in so many of the Japanese anime and manga that I've seen and read, V-day here consists of girls giving chocolates to boyfriends or boys they have crushes on, while the guys are obliged to do absolutely nothing but take it...My kind of place!
As far as I know, in Korea (as well as Japan), chocolates are given either directly to the boy or put in his desk. The quality and value of the chocolate silently speak of the measure of the girl's feelings. Many times it represents a confession of love. Unfortunately, I was not able to really see this endearing adolescent gesture firsthand, as I don't teach at a public school. And at my language institute, the girls are too shy to admit they gave chocolates. And I honestly don't think any of my boys actually got chocolates (they're still a bunch of junior-highers who are too busy with Starcraft to bother with girls).
But some of my girls gave me chocolates. They were so cute, just dropping them on my desk, then running away without saying anything. And, like any teacher, it felt so good. Even if it's not a big deal and doesn't carry a whole lot of significance, when your kids give you something, anything...it's special. I leave you with the first pic of my blog. The small frilly purple tin was particularly...interesting.
So you might think that being a boy on Valentine's Day rocks because you don't have to do anything. But think about all the guys who don't get chocolates. It probably sucks. How would you like to go year after year with nothing while other guys in your class gloat over how many girls like them? Also, it's not over after Valentine's Day. On March 14th, White Day, it's the boys' turn to give chocolates.
"Damn! I received choclates from this girl. Should I reciprocate or not? What would she think if I did? If I didn't, would people think I'm a jerk? Should I give some to the girl I like? But she didn't give me any on Valentine's...doesn't that mean she doesn't like me? But what if she does? Dammit, what should I dooo??!!!"
..the joy of adolescence.
As far as I know, in Korea (as well as Japan), chocolates are given either directly to the boy or put in his desk. The quality and value of the chocolate silently speak of the measure of the girl's feelings. Many times it represents a confession of love. Unfortunately, I was not able to really see this endearing adolescent gesture firsthand, as I don't teach at a public school. And at my language institute, the girls are too shy to admit they gave chocolates. And I honestly don't think any of my boys actually got chocolates (they're still a bunch of junior-highers who are too busy with Starcraft to bother with girls).
But some of my girls gave me chocolates. They were so cute, just dropping them on my desk, then running away without saying anything. And, like any teacher, it felt so good. Even if it's not a big deal and doesn't carry a whole lot of significance, when your kids give you something, anything...it's special. I leave you with the first pic of my blog. The small frilly purple tin was particularly...interesting.
So you might think that being a boy on Valentine's Day rocks because you don't have to do anything. But think about all the guys who don't get chocolates. It probably sucks. How would you like to go year after year with nothing while other guys in your class gloat over how many girls like them? Also, it's not over after Valentine's Day. On March 14th, White Day, it's the boys' turn to give chocolates.
"Damn! I received choclates from this girl. Should I reciprocate or not? What would she think if I did? If I didn't, would people think I'm a jerk? Should I give some to the girl I like? But she didn't give me any on Valentine's...doesn't that mean she doesn't like me? But what if she does? Dammit, what should I dooo??!!!"
..the joy of adolescence.
1 Comments:
Stop your cradle robbing...you've watched too much anime like Maison Ikkoku with guy teachers as the main character.
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